直接甲醇燃料电池反应和组分传递的模型计算

本文建立了直接甲醇燃料电池的二维、单相数学模型来研究电池内各种场的分布情况.模型中考虑了与电化学反应相伴随的、与流体动力学相关的反应与物料传递的耦合过程以及甲醇串流对阴极反应的影响;对阳极和阴极催化层传质过程引入了团聚块模型进行修正.计算了电池内的反应组分浓度分布和局部电流分布以及催化层沿长度方向的局部过电势分布,分析丁催化层内反应的非均匀性.在此基础上考察了对电池流场板结构的改进方案:减小集流板肋条宽度以及在肋条过窄时引入金属泡沫代替电池流场板和扩散层对电池性能的影响,通过对比计算表明两种改进均可以使得催化层反应均匀化,使电池输出性能得到提高,后者效果更佳.     

温度对直接甲醇燃料电池动态性能的影响

利用可计算机控制的电子负载单元,本文实验研究了电池温度对液态进料直接甲醇燃料电池单体电池的稳态和动态性能的影响,并考察了该电池对电池温度变化的动态响应。实验结果表明:电池稳态性能随着电池温度的升高而提升,电池对动态负载的响应随着电池的温度的升高而变得更快和更稳定,升温过程中电池对电池温度变化的响应值要高于降温过程中对应的响应值。     

直接甲醇燃料电池两相非等温模型

本文建立了直接甲醇燃料电池的两相、非等温模型.采用多孔介质中的经典多相流动模型来计算电池内与电化学反应相耦合的传质、传热问题;模型中考虑了水的汽化凝结过程和甲醇窜流对电池性能的影响.计算结果表明电池内温度分布不均匀,温度最高点出现在阴极催化层;阳极甲醇浓度分布不均匀是造成阳极催化层内局部反应速率不均匀分布的主要原因,而阴极催化层局部反应速率主要依赖于阴极过电势的分布;大的流场板开口比条件下电池整体均匀性较好,性能得到提高.     

直接甲醇燃料电池热传递数值模拟

本文建立了二维两相非等温的直接甲醇燃料电池(DMFC)模型,综合考虑了DMFC中的电化学反应、热传递、组分传递和甲醇串流。计算了电池内的温度分布、不同电流密度下的膜电极内部最大温差和膜电极平均温度;在此基础上研究了环境和甲醇进口浓度对电池性能、膜电极内平均温度和最大温差的影响。结果表明:膜电极内阴极的温度高于阳极;甲醇进口浓度的上升导致膜电极内平均温度和最大温差上升;环境对电池性能的影响很小。     

被动式DMFC变负载动态响应特性

被动式直接甲醇燃料电池作为新型便携式电源,势必会遇到负载动态变化的工作环境。本文针对持续加载/瞬间卸载、持续加载/持续卸载及梯形加载时被动式直接甲醇燃料电池的动态响应进行了实验研究,获得了变负载时电池电压及温度的响应规律。结果表明:加载时电池电压降低、温度升高,而卸载瞬间电压骤升、温度骤降;持续卸载时温度响应滞后于电流密度的变化及电压响应;梯形加载时恒流放电过程对持续加载和卸载时电压响应的影响较小;电池温度随加载周期整体上呈升高趋势。     

直接甲醇燃料电池三通道蛇形阳极流场两相流研究

本文针对配备三通道蛇形阳极流场的液态进料直接甲醇燃料电池阳极两相流及电池性能开展了实验研究.液态进料的直接甲醇燃料电池阳极流床内会形成二氧化碳气泡与甲醇溶液构成的两相流系统,其两相流特性受到电池流道设计、运行工况和工作角度的影响,并同时影响燃料电池的性能.本文设计了三通道蛇形流场,通过可视化实验得到直接甲醇燃料电池三通道蛇形阳极流场内的两相流特性随电流密度变化的规律,并研究了燃料电池在不同旋转角度下的两相流特性和电池性能.实验结果表明:在不同的旋转角度下,电池都体现出较好的工作性能.     

热物理参数对燃料电池内传质过程的影响

本文利用自行设计的实验系统,对自制的镀金不锈钢极板液态进料直接甲醇燃料电池的性能进行了测试。实验结果表明,较高的氧气压力和流量、较大的甲醇溶液流量、较高的电池温度均有助于强化燃料电池内部的传质过程。另外,在甲醇溶液浓度不超过2.0kmol/m~3的范围内,提高浓度有助于缓解催化层反应物不足的问题,从而改善燃料电池的性能。本文从机理上对这些实验结果进行了分析。     

直接甲醇燃料电池气、液相流动数值模拟

本文建立了直接甲醇燃料电池(DMFC)的二维两相模型,并重点研究阳极的两相流动和质量传递.模型考虑甲醇串流现象,定量计算了在不同电流密度下甲醇串流量的大小及其对电池工作性能的影响;模型中提出求解气、液单相流速的方法,并分别研究气、液流速对物质传递和电池性能的影响.定量分析发现:由甲醇串流产生的寄生电势导致实际开路电压值远低于理论值;在大电流密度下扩散层和催化层内的气相体积分数非常大,阻碍了液相燃料向催化层扩散,成为制约电池性能的关键因素;扩散层和催化层内存在气、液两相的反向流动,且气、液相速度分别有利于排出生成气体并推动液体燃料到达催化层;减小多孔介质的扩散率将削弱对流,恶化电池性能.     

直接甲醇燃料电池阴极水淹过程实验研究

对自制可视化直接甲醇燃料电池单体阴极流场内液滴生长特性、氧气流量和氧气进气温度对流场水淹及电池性能的影响进行了实验研究.结果表明:平行流场中首个液滴大多在流场右上区域冒出;流场中新液滴的出现具有瞬间涌出特性,并优先在流场板和扩散层交界的夹角处及扩散层表面碳纤维束交叉处产生;液滴生长过程具有非连续性,与流道边壁相接触的液滴和液柱的生长速度均大于未接触流道边壁的液滴生长速度,而且液柱有逆气流方向反向生长现象.氧气流量及氧气进气温度的升高,均导致阴极流道内液态水和流场中大液滴数量及形成液柱的长度减少,促使电池性能提高.     

零度以下环境中DMFC性能及传输特性

在零度以下环境中，直接甲醇燃料电池（DMFC）膜电极内的水结冰，将堵塞多孔层孔隙，影响反应物传输和电池性能。本文研究了-5℃条件下主动式DMFC的低温运行特性以及甲醇浓度、氧气流速和放电电流密度等参数的影响。实验结果表明：主动式DMFC可在-5℃环境中成功启动并稳定运行；此时最佳甲醇浓度为4mol／L，高于常温及以上条...     

Progress in Developments of Inorganic Nanocatalysts for Application in Direct Methanol Fuel Cells

Significant progress has been made in the last few years toward synthesizing highly dispersible inorganic catalysts for application in the electrodes of direct methanol fuel cells. In addition, research toward achieving an efficient catalyst supporting matrix has also attracted much attention in recent years. Carbon black- (Vulcan XC-72) supported Platinum and Platinum-Ruthenium catalysts have for long served as the conventional choice as the cathode and the anode catalyst materials, respectively. Oxygen reduction reaction at the cathode and methanol oxidation reaction at the anode occur simultaneously during the operation of a direct methanol fuel cell. However, inefficiencies in these reactions result in a generation of mixed potential. This, in turn, gives rise to reduced cell voltage, increased oxygen stoichiometric ratio, and generation of additional water that is responsible for water flooding in the cathode chamber. In addition, the lack of long-term stability of Pt-Ru anode catalyst, coupled with the tendency of Ru to cross through the polymer electrolyte membrane and eventually get deposited on the cathode, is also a serious drawback. Another source of potential concern is the fact that the natural resource of Pt and the rare earth metal Ru is very limited, and has been predicted to become exhausted very soon. To overcome these problems, new catalyst systems with high methanol tolerance and higher catalytic activity than Pt need to be developed. In addition, the catalyst-supporting matrix is also witnessing a change from traditionally used carbon powder to transition metal carbides and other high-performance materials. This article surveys the recent literature based on the advancements made in the field of highly dispersible inorganic catalysts for application in direct methanol fuel cells, as well as the progress made in the area of catalyst-supporting matrices.     

Direct methanol fuel cells : Methanol crossover and its influence on single DMFC performance

In the present investigation, the methanol crossover rate through Nafion®-115 membrane at different temperatures and different concentrations had been investigated in a fuel cell test apparatus by using gas chromatography analysis. The singledirect methanol fuel cell (DMFC) tests were carried out to investigate the effect of the concentration of methanol aqueous solutions and cell temperature on methanol crossover and consequently, on the open circuit voltage and the cell performance of DMFC. It can be found that the methanol crossover rate through Nafion® membrane increases as methanol concentration and temperature increase. It can also be found that methanol crossover presented a negative effect on the open circuit voltage and the single DMFC performance. Single DMFC test results showed that an improved cell performance was obtained as temperature increased although the methanol crossover rate increased with temperature increment.     

槽式聚光光伏-光热化学互补系统中吸热反应管性能研究

本文以槽式聚光光伏-光热化学互补系统为对象,并以甲醇裂解反应为例,探究了该系统内的吸热反应管在入射光谱仅为透过的红外光谱波段时的性能。研究结果表明,当几何聚光比为21.4时,透射到吸热反应管的红外光谱能量转化为太阳能燃料化学能的效率可达54%~58%。此外,还研究了太阳直射辐射强度、甲醇进口流量、甲醇进口温度等关键运行参数对吸热反应管中反应管温度、甲醇转化率等的影响。本文的研究工作为探索聚光光伏-光热化学互补方法提供了一种可能。     

Polyelectrolyte Nanocomposite Membranes Using Imidazole-Functionalized Nanosilica for Fuel Cell Applications

The preparation and characterization of a new type of nanocomposite polyelectrolyte membrane, based on DuPont Nafion/imidazole-modified nanosilica (Im-Si), for direct methanol fuel cell applications is described. Related to the interactions between the protonated imidazole groups, grafted on the surface of nanosilica, and negatively charged sulfonic acid groups of Nafion, new electrostatic interactions can be formed in the interface of Nafion and Im-Si which result in both lower methanol permeability and also higher proton conductivity. Physical characteristics of these manufactured nanocomposite membranes were investigated by scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetry analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, water uptake, methanol permeability, and ion-exchange capacity, as well as proton conductivity. The Nafion/Im-Si membranes showed higher proton conductivity, lower methanol permeability and, as a consequence, higher selectivity parameter in comparison to the neat Nafion or Nafion/silica membranes. The obtained results indicated that the Nafion/Im-Si membranes could be utilized as promising polyelectrolyte membranes for direct methanol fuel cell applications.     

Investigating the effect of operating parameters on the open circuit voltage of a passive DMFC

The variations of the open circuit voltages (OCVs) were studied in a passive air-breathing direct methanol fuel cell with an air-breathing cathode using Nafion 115 as the electrolyte membrane. The effects of some operating parameters such as cell temperature, cell orientation, and also methanol concentration on the OCV of fabricated fuel cell were investigated experimentally. The experimental results showed that the OCV values depend strongly on the cell orientation, cell temperature, and methanol concentration. The OCV values decrease with an increase in methanol concentration and cell temperature. Also, the OCV values in vertical orientation are lower than the OCV values in other orientations.     

The effect of cell orientations and environmental conditions on the performance of a passive DMFC single cell

A single cell passive air-breathing liquid feed direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) is designed and fabricated. Furthermore, the effects of cell orientation and environmental conditions such as temperature and relative humidity on the performance of such passive DMFC are tested experimentally. The obtained results indicate that both environmental temperature and relative humidity have significant effects on the performance of fabricated fuel cell. The experimental data contained within this work shows that under lower relative humidity and higher temperature, the passive air-breathing direct methanol fuel cell has higher power output and better performance. According to experimental results, flooding has a vital role on the cell performance in various relative humidity and temperatures. The results also show that cell orientation has a strong effect on the performance of passive DMFC. The best power output and performance were achieved under vertical orientation.     

Design of novel SPEEK-based proton exchange membranes by self-assembly method for fuel cells

Fuel cell represents a new energy conversion device, which promises to provide clean source of power. Fuel cell [particularly proton exchange membrane fuel cell and direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC)] is a promising candidate for transportation and portable power source applications. In DMFC, there is a problem of methanol crossover. In order to reduce such a problem, there has been an intensive research activity in the modification of Nafion. In the present investigation, self-assembled membranes were fabricated with sulfonated polyether ether ketone as the core part of the membrane. Aminated polysulfone and sulfonated polysulfone were used as the layers in order to prevent the crossover of methanol. The assembled membranes were characterized by ion exchange capacity, water and methanol absorption, and durability. The methanol permeability and selectivity ratio proved a strong influence on DMFC application. Scanning electron microscopy proved smooth surface, which established strong cohesive force for the polymer chains. Among the synthesized self-assembled membranes, the membrane with two bilayers was the best in terms of power density in DMFC. The membrane electrode assembly with two bilayers showed higher performance (~61.05 mW/cm²) than sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone) and Nafion in DMFC.     

Polyelectrolyte Nanocomposite Membranes with Imidazole-Functionalized Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes for Use in Fuel Cell Applications

The preparation and characterization of a new type of nanocomposite polyelectrolyte membrane (PEM), based on Nafion® and imidazole modified multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT-Im), for direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) applications is described. Related to the interactions between the protonated imidazole groups, grafted on the surface of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT), and the negatively charged sulfonic acid groups of Nafion®, new electrostatic interactions can be formed in the interface of the Nafion® and MWCNT-Im which result in both lower methanol permeability and also higher proton conductivity. The physical characteristics of these manufactured nanocomposite membranes were investigated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), water uptake, methanol permeability and ion exchange capacity, as well as proton conductivity. The Nafion®/MWCNT-Im membranes showed higher proton conductivity, lower methanol permeability and, as a consequence, a higher selectivity parameter in comparison to neat Nafion® or Nafion® containing –OH functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT-OH) membranes. The obtained results indicated that the Nafion®/MWCNT-Im membranes could be utilized as efficient polyelectrolyte membranes for direct methanol fuel cell applications.